The Number One Way to Protect Yourself From Sexual Assault

The Number One Way to Protect Yourself From Sexual Assault

Say ‘No!' To Sexual Assault

Sexual assault is a crime of opportunity.

Predators will seek out vulnerable people who put themselves in compromised positions.

Don't Mess With Me!

Although there is no foolproof method to completely protect yourself from an attack, there are several things you can do to help yourself appear less vulnerable, and therefore decrease the likelihood that a predator will target you as their next victim.

Several independent studies show that the best way to protect yourself from a sexual assault is to avoid dangerous situations.

5. Carrying Lots of Heavy Bags

It may sound silly, but loading yourself down with lots of bags or packages, can also make you vulnerable.

First off, it shows predators that you have something they can steal, and second, if your hands are full of shopping bags, they aren’t free to defend yourself with in an attack.

Also, carrying lots of items will most likely throw off your center of balance, making you even easier to knock down.

6. Not Having a Cell Phone With You

If you have a cell phone (and I’m sure you do) always have it on you, and make sure it’s charged before you leave the house.

There have literally been countless instances where a cell phone call has saved someone’s life.

Even if you’re just running up to the store for a minute, you never know what could happen.

Afterall, isn’t it always better to be safe than sorry?

7. Walking Without Purpose

It sounds abstract, but actually it’s pretty simple.

When you’re walking with a purpose, your head is held up high, your eyes are looking straight ahead, and you’re walking like you know where you’re going.

Walking with a purpose means not responding to things like cat calls and strangers approaching you trying to get you to stop and talk to them. There is no reason why you need to stop and talk to a strange man on the sidewalk.

Even if you don’t know where you’re going, act like you do.

Wandering around aimlessly looking lost makes you look like a prime target.

8. Being Alone With Someone You Don’t Know

Not all sexual predators are sleazy looking scumbags.

And protect yourself from scumbags

Most rapists are in their early thirties, white, affable, and occupy upper-middle class socioeconomic standings.

Many predators are master manipulators.

They know how to make a great first impression and seem very charming and likeable.

They know exactly what to say to make you feel comfortable being alone with them.

No matter how “nice” someone seems, don’t be alone with anyone you don’t know well. It’s always a good idea to run a criminal background check on someone before you put yourself in a potentially vulnerable position with them. A background check will expose any history of criminal behavior and is a great way to get the additional information you need about a person to make an informed decision about them.

Some of the most ruthless serial killers were charming, handsome, affluent men.

Speak Your Mind, With Your Opinion

Nice to see you made it to the end of the post. Here’s what you can do next:

Do you or your partner do these important things?

Ever been faced with a potentially threathening situation yourself?

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And thanks for reading too – Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Kristen Bright is a copywriter for Instant Checkmate, she specializes in writing about domestic violence issues, sexual offenses, and public safety.

One has to be precarious in about every way; feel strong, look strong and act strong and no one will mess up with you. Yeah but it is important to keep this checklist in practice along with that. Great share.

Good comment, Fatima.
You’ve got a valid point – most of these chicken shits that attack women are looking to prey on the ones that appear meek and weak. Presenting a strong persona is one of the better deterents.

There has been a rapid increase in the number of sexual assaults taking place across the world. It is always good to remain safe from such perverts. I always make sure that I carry my cell phone whenever I am venturing out. I particularly liked the pointer which talks about the intuition, I trust my intuition more than anything, because when a person through his gaze or gestures make me feel uncomfortable, I take that as a warning sign and prepare for the worst. Thanks for sharing such a relevant share.

Yeah, too dat on the intuition, Aayna. I think more people get into trouble because they don’t trust their own gut instincts.
Sounds like you’re doing the right things to stay safe. Ever had any close calls?

Isn’t it true, though, that most sexual assaults are perpetrated by friends, family, or acquaintances of the victims? While this advice is well-intentioned, it doesn’t address the fact that most victims know their attackers.

And honestly, I think the best and surest way to prevent sexual assault is to teach people not to rape.

“We need to teach our sons about rape. We need to expect much, not little, from them and from the men they will become. We need tell them what rape is and that it should not happen to anyone. This is the only loving way to parent.”

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Rather than a society that teaches “Don’t Rape,” we have a society that teaches “Don’t Rape But She Was Pretty Drunk and She Didn’t Explicitly Say No and Look At What She Was Wearing.” This is problematic, because what we really want is a society where “Don’t Rape” means “Don’t Rape, Don’t Assault, Don’t Harass, Don’t Intimidate, Don’t Abuse, Don’t Take Advantage of a Situation, Whether You’re Male, Female or Anything In Between.”